Name: Marcy Siolka

Brief personal introduction:

I have been an English teacher at Bonduel High School for the past 16 years. I teach Professional Multimedia Communications, UWGB English Composition 100 and 105, Remedial English, British Literature, Sports Lit, English I, and English IV. I am the mother of four children who are the best thing that ever happened to me.

Overview of content/topic level of unit plan:

  • English (Remedial English A-grades 10-12)
  • Topic: Creating an Academy (Alternative School)
  • The Project: Our school district currently does not have an alternative school setting although we are experiencing a great need. The students in my remedial English class will come up with a plan to incorporate an academy for struggling students as another option to an alternative school. First, the students will rank the issues that they face in their lives that they feel the traditional school setting does not address. Then they will research and analyze other alternative schools, academy programs, and the DPI requirements for alternative schools to come up with ideas for their plan. Finally, the students will create a PowerPoint, videos and podcasts presenting their recommendations for an alternative program at our school to share with the administration and school board.
  • This project has several real-world connections. The students are given a real problem from our community and school district. They will have to research, interview people from the school district and other alternative programs, consider budget issues, collaborate with their peers, and create a professional presentation.

  • Anyone who works with an alternative school and would be willing to share ideas about your program, please drop me a note on my discussion board.

Link to my unit plan file:


Other Participant's unit plans reviewed: I reviewed and posted on the pages of Lon Ebel, Tiffany Reiter, Lynn Aprill, Christine Reinke, and Danielle Schuh.


Other resources and ideas to save or share with others:

Photo slideshow: http://photobucket.com/
Awesome tools for everything: http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/
Creating a book: http://classtools.net/education-games-php/turningPage/
Digital Photo Album: http://www.scrapblog.com/

Photo essay: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Sh8gX9TS


Please visit this link to see my photos.